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Measure for Measure - Act 4, scene 4
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Measure for Measure - Act 4, scene 4Act 4, scene 4
Scene 4
Synopsis:
Angelo learns of the duke’s return. Alone, he expresses his anguish that he has raped Isabella and had Claudio killed.
Enter Angelo and Escalus.ESCALUS 2291 Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched
2292 other.
ANGELO 2293 In most uneven and distracted manner. His
2294 actions show much like to madness. Pray heaven his
2295 5 wisdom be not tainted. And why meet him at the
2296 gates and ⌜deliver⌝ our authorities there?
ESCALUS 2297 I guess not.
ANGELO 2298 And why should we proclaim it in an hour
2299 before his entering, that if any crave redress of
2300 10 injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the
2301 street?
ESCALUS 2302 He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch
2303 of complaints, and to deliver us from devices
2304 hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand
2305 15 against us.
ANGELO 2306 Well, I beseech you let it be proclaimed.
2307 Betimes i’ th’ morn, I’ll call you at your house. Give
2308 notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet
2309 him.
ESCALUS 2310 20I shall, sir. Fare you well.
p.
167
ANGELO
2311
Good night.⌜Escalus⌝ exits.2312 This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant
2313 And dull to all proceedings. A deflowered maid,
2314 And by an eminent body that enforced
2315 25 The law against it. But that her tender shame
2316 Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
2317 How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no,
2318 For my authority bears of a credent bulk
2319 That no particular scandal once can touch
2320 30 But it confounds the breather. He should have lived,
2321 Save that his riotous youth with dangerous sense
2322 Might in the times to come have ta’en revenge
2323 By so receiving a dishonored life
2324 With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived.
2325 35 Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,
2326 Nothing goes right. We would, and we would not.
He exits.